Core Sections

Core will initially have six networks, with a formal component for standards integrated into each one. These initial sections are recommended as a starting point and represent the broadest areas of work for the division. It is possible that either during the transition or after Core is launched, the need for additional sections will become apparent. The process for creating and dissolving sections will be included in the new Core Board Policies and Procedures Manual.

  1. Access and Equity 
    • Advocacy in areas such as copyright, equity of access, open access, net neutrality, and privacy
    • Preservation Week 
    • Supporting ALA lobbying efforts 
    • Providing financial contributions, programming, and training, in support of equity, diversity, and inclusion, both within the division and the profession
  2. Assessment 
    • Emphasizing the role of assessment in demonstrating the impacts of libraries 
    • Recommending and developing assessment tools, methods, guidelines, standards, and policies and procedures
    • Evaluating Core EDI efforts 
  3. Leadership 
    • Identify and develop leaders at every level 
    • Identify and adopt best practices for inclusion by using an equity lens to examine leadership structures 
    • Leadership for talent management and human resources 
    • Ability to grow and lead within our governance structure, growing micro-opportunities and virtual engagement 
    • Robust and diverse mentoring programs and leadership institutes 
    • Growing and maintaining cohorts from leadership programs to expand member sections 
  4. Metadata and Collections 
    • Sharing best practices and knowledge in work areas that support collections and discovery 
    • Identifying best practices for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the development and description of collections
    • Creation and input on standards and best practices for selection, acquisition, description, access, and preservation of information resources 
    • Preservation of both print, media, and digital resources
  5. Operations and Buildings 
    • Sharing ideas and knowledge to stay engaged on changing trends in organizational structures, services, staff operations, and facilities 
    • Identification and adoption of best practices for inclusive practices and design
  6. Technology 
    • Identification and adoption of best practices for inclusive practices and design
    • Making ALA information policy concrete for members and the profession by providing resources, tools, training, and community support for adoption and implementation 
    • Helping librarians to understand emerging technologies and translate them into actionable plans for library services 
    • Bridging the technology related needs and discussions across all types of libraries and operational areas

In our original proposal, these areas of focus were called “networks,” but we’ve renamed them “sections” based on a recommendation from the ALA Steering Committee on Organizational Effectiveness (SCOE).

Read more about Sections, Interest Groups, and Other Groups (PDF).

View how we envision the overlap between these six sections will enhance member networking, knowledge, and collaboration.